Music Haven concerts announced for Central Park, Schenectady

The Summer 2010 Music Haven Concert Series has released its schedule, and it includes funk, jazz, salsa, folk, Cajun, Celtic, Balkan, Latin and more. The free concerts begin at 7 p.m. Sundays, July 11 to Aug. 22, at the Agnes McDonald Music Haven Stage in Central Park, Schenectady.

The slate includes Nona Hendryx, Cherish the Ladies and the Music Mobile’s Ruth Pelham — as well as Raul Midon, Red Stick Ramblers and Martha Redbone. The seven-week season opens and closes with dance parties featuring Alex Torres and his Latin Orchestra and New York City’s Slavic Soul Party!

As always, quality dinners and snacks by Homestyle Caterers will be available for purchase stage-side beginning at 6 p.m. The Agnes McDonald Music Haven is family-friendly, easily accessible and has been voted the “Best Summer Outdoor Venue” in the Capital Region.

The schedule:

JULY 11 – ALEX TORRES AND HIS LATIN ORCHESTRA

Bronx-born bassist Torres and his award-winning 11-piece band open the season with a fresh blast of Salsa, Merengue and more. The Amsterdam-based group has been performing for more than 25 years, from the Capital Region to Texas.

The music of Lafayette, Lousiana’s Red Stick Ramblers is hot. The quintet’s hard-driving, witty, eclectic sound fuses the best of Cajun, honky tonk and swing.

Gaudet’s band puts a bluegrass kick and high harmonies behind his sometimes rollicking, sometimes thoughtful compositions.

Nona Hendryx

JULY 25 – NONA HENDRYX with special guest Bryan Thomas

The legendary Hendryx started out singing ’60s doo-wop and found fame with LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade” in 1975. She’s has been creating her own pioneering, bold brand of music all along — a mix of funk, art and soul.

Thomas draws from a similarly eclectic bag to drive his own unique performance style — one with deep roots in Schenectady County.

AUGUST 1 – RAUL MIDON with special guest Martha Redbone

One man, one guitar. Midon uses his mouth like a trumpet and his guitar like a drum for an explosive blend of bass, harmony, rhythm and melody. He has a rich, supple tenor and flamenco and jazz-infused songs.

Redbone adds flavors of traditional Native American music to old school original rock, blues and soul.

AUGUST 8 – RUTH PELHAM & THE MUSIC MOBILE with special guests Ramblin Jug Stompers

With her wonderful Music Mobile, Pelham has been bringing the gift of music to children and families for more than 30 years. Pete Seeger called her “one of America’s greatest songwriters,” and, like Seeger, she encourages the audience to be part of the show.

Cherish The Ladies is the most successful and sought-after Irish-American group in Celtic music today. The Washington Post says Joanie Madden and her crew display “an astonishing array of virtuosity,” while The Boston Globe raves, “It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do.”

AUGUST 22 – SLAVIC SOUL PARTY!

Eastern Europe meets New Orleans with the massive brass of Slavic Soul Party! Traditional Balkan melodies get mashed up with gospel, jazz, gypsy music and second-like strut every time this New York City nonet convenes.

For more information and directions, call Central Park at 382-5152 x3, The Chamber of Schenectady County at 372-5656, or visit www.musichavenstage.org.

Tom Keyser

One Response

This guy is just amazing – he sings like a young Stevie Wonder and plays a really interesting finger/slap guitar style. His guitar playing reminds me a bit of a Keller WIlliams – but his voice and songs are just phenomenal. I believe he is blind as well, which makes his talent that much more impressive.